Upgrade to include elevators, additional improvements funded by $15 million of TIF funds
The Chicago Transit Board today approved a plan that would use $15.7 million of city tax-increment financing (TIF) funds to make the historic Quincy station accessible to customers with disabilities. Improvements will include the addition of two elevators, the replacement of two sets of entrance stairs, as well as painting, lighting improvements, and other repairs—while retaining the historic appearance of the station, one of the few surviving original Loop ‘L’ stations.
The Quincy station, built in 1897, was last renovated 25 years ago in 1988. It is now in need of additional of upgrades and repairs.
“We are pleased to be able to work with the City to fund badly needed improvements at this high-traffic rail station and landmark in the Loop,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “As part of Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to modernizing our transit infrastructure, upgrading the Quincy station will benefit the thousands of riders who come through the station each day, and will provide the first accessible rail station in the southwest Loop to benefit our customers with disabilities. I thank Alderman Fioretti and Alderman Reilly for recognizing the importance of this station and this project to the business district.”
The Quincy station, 220 S. Wells St., provides more than 2.2 million rides annually on the Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple lines and is a major multi-modal transfer point for 10 CTA bus routes as well as providing easy connection to Union Station and the LaSalle Street Metra Station. The CTA anticipates design work, which will include input from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) and the City’s Landmarks Commission because of the station’s historical status, could begin as early as 2014 and construction could begin as soon as 2015. Renewal work will include refurbishing station surfaces, including woodwork, doors, railings, ceilings and framing.
The Quincy station is located in the LaSalle Central Tax Increment Financing District. The project is subject to City Council approval.
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